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    Home » Diet » Vegan

    Published: Aug 2, 2022 · Modified: Jul 6, 2023 by Genevieve · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Spaghetti Arrabbiata

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    Pinterest pin showing spaghetti arrabbiata with a green text box displaying the name of the recipe and the URL for Two Cloves Kitchen.

    Spaghetti Arrabbiata, often mistakenly spelled Spaghetti Arrabiata, is a spicy Italian pasta dish with a sauce of crushed tomatoes, garlic, onion, and, typically, red pepper flake. I make this recipe unique by adding Calabrian chili peppers in place of red pepper flake.

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    Twirled spaghetti arrabbiata on a black plate with a copper fork topped with parsley on a wooden cutting board over a white marble counter top with a gray linen in the background.

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    • What You'll Need
    • How to Prepare
    • Variations
    • How to Store
    • FAQ
    • Expert Tips
    • How to Serve
    • More Recipes You'll Love
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    The benefit of using Calabrian chilis in place of red pepper flake is that there are no hard pieces to bite into when you eat the sauce. Especially with older jars of chili flake, I find they can get a bit brittle and unpleasant to chew on.

    Here, Calabrian chilis are steeped in the sauce and removed at the end. They add a pretty serious kick, so use them sparingly if you are sensitive to spicy food!

    Diced onion, crushed tomatoes, Calabrian chilis, kosher salt, olive oil, minced garlic, and spaghetti sit on black plates on a butcher block cutting board. Each item is labeled in black print.

    What You'll Need

    Two Cloves Kitchen, as an Amazon Affiliate, makes a small percentage from qualified sales made through affiliate links at no cost to you.

    • Canned Crushed Tomatoes You can also use canned whole peeled tomatoes that you crush by hand. I often prefer this so I can determine the texture of the sauce.
    • Garlic I used fresh minced garlic for this recipe. You can also thinly slice your garlic if you prefer.
    • Onion Here I used a yellow onion, but a sweet onion will work well too.
    • Olive Oil A high-quality olive oil is always nice when your recipe has so few ingredients, but use whatever you have on hand.
    • Calabrian Chilis I recommend using whole Calabrian chilis so that they are easier to remove from the sauce.
    • Kosher Salt My recommendation is to use the brand Diamond Crystal because it allows you to easily adjust without oversalting. It is shaped in flakes as opposed to grains, which means it has a less concentrated salty flavor by volume.
    • Spaghetti You can also use any variety of pasta you have available, or you can try your hand at homemade fresh pasta!

    How to Prepare

    Step One Dice half of your onion.

    Diced yellow onion with a yellow onion in the background on a butcher block cutting board

    Step Two Mince or thinly slice your garlic.

    Minced garlic with a head of garlic in the background on a butcher block cutting board

    Step Three Put a large pan or medium sauce pot on medium to medium-low heat, add the olive oil, and wait until it is just shimmering. Add the onion and Calabrian chilis and sweat until the onion is translucent, 5 to 10 minutes. Season with salt.

    Sweating onions and Calabrian chilis are mixed with a wooden spoon in a black pan.

    Step Four Add the garlic and cook until just fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.

    Sweating diced onion, whole Calabrian chilis, and minced garlic are pictured in a black pan.

    Step Five Add the crushed tomatoes. Season with more salt. Bring up to a boil and down to a simmer for about 20 minutes.

    Closeup shot of arrabbiata sauce with tomatoes added to pan with onions, garlic, and Calabrian chilis

    Step Six Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the spaghetti and cook to box directions.

    Cooked spaghetti is held on a black spaghetti serving spoon above a silver pot of boiling water.

    Step Seven Remove the chilis from the sauce.

    A whole Calabrian chili is removed from the arrabbiata sauce with a metal slotted spoon.

    Step Eight Strain the pasta and add to the pan with the sauce. Taste for seasoning and add more salt if needed. Mix well and serve.

    Variations

    Different Pasta Shapes You can make this sauce with another long pasta, like linguine or angel hair, or try a short tube pasta like rigatoni or penne.

    Traditional If you don't have access to Calabrian chili peppers, you can use a tablespoon of red pepper flake in their place.

    Fresh Herbs You can make this dish even more delicious with the addition of fresh herbs like basil or parsley sprinkled over the finished dish.

    How to Store

    Cool and then store in an airtight container, making sure to transfer to the fridge within 2 hours of cooking for food safety reasons.

    I recommend storing the pasta and sauce separately or making the sauce in advance and cooking the pasta when you are ready to eat.

    FAQ

    Can I freeze this dish?

    You can freeze the sauce. Cool the sauce and place in a freezer bag or other appropriately sized container. I recommend freezing only for about 3 months to maintain the best flavor.

    Can I make this ahead of time?

    Yes. If making ahead of time, store the pasta and sauce separately and combine once reheated. The sauce will remain good in the fridge for 3 to 5 days.

    How do I reheat this dish?

    From frozen: Thaw sauce in the fridge overnight and then bring up to a boil and down to a simmer on the stove before serving with fresh spaghetti.

    From fridge: If refrigerated, you can bring the sauce up to temperature on the stove as well. If the sauce and pasta are already combined, use the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes.

    What if I can't find Calabrian chili peppers?

    You can use up to a tablespoon of red pepper flake in its place.

    Expert Tips

    • For al dente pasta, use the lower of the 2 cook times on the box directions (e.g., cook for 10 minutes if it says 10 to 11 minutes). You can also take the pasta out of the water 1 minute before it's ready and finish cooking in the sauce.
    • For the best-tasting pasta sauce, season as you go. Season your onions while they are sweating and continue to taste throughout the cooking process, adding more seasoning as necessary.
    • Don't forget to salt your pasta water! Authentic Italian pasta dishes are cooked in water that is saltier than you may think, so add an extra pinch and see if you like the taste of your pasta even more.

    How to Serve

    This spaghetti can definitely be a meal unto itself, but here are some great ideas for how to fill out your dinner table:

    Salad Any simple green salad with a lemon herb vinaigrette would be a great addition to your table.

    Roasted Vegetables Try roasted broccolini or roasted cherry tomatoes on the vine.

    Garlic Bread A piece of garlic bread or freshly toasted bread spread with roasted garlic or roasted garlic butter would be delicious here to sop up any remaining sauce in the bowl.

    Multi-Course Dinner You can really impress guests if you serve this pasta as one course in a multi-course meal with soup, salad, Italian Chicken Cutlets, and dessert!

    Meatballs Try a batch of these wonderful porcupine meatballs from Garlic Salt and Lime.

    More Recipes You'll Love

    If you're in the mood for more pasta, try these recipes:

    Penne al Baffo

    Penne al Salmone (Penne with Salmon and Cherry Tomatoes)

    Tomato and Mascarpone Sauce

    Linguine Bolognese

    Hearty Marinara Sauce

    📖 Recipe

    Twirled spaghetti arrabbiata on a black plate with a copper fork topped with parsley on a wooden cutting board over a white marble counter top with a gray linen in the background.

    Spaghetti Arrabbiata

    Quick, spicy Spaghetti Arrabbiata featuring Calabrian chilis. Ready in just about 30 minutes, it's perfect for a weeknight dinner or a meal to impress guests!
    5 from 44 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course, Pasta
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 small or 2 large
    Calories: 483kcal
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    Equipment

    • Large Frying Pan or Medium Sauce Pot
    • Stock Pot

    Ingredients

    Pasta

    • 10 ounces spaghetti or other pasta

    Sauce

    • 28 ounces canned tomatoes crushed or whole peeled
    • ¼ cup olive oil extra virgin
    • ½ onion yellow or sweet
    • 4 cloves garlic
    • 6 to 8 Calabrian chilis whole, or 1 tablespoon chili flake
    • kosher salt to taste
    • fresh herbs like parsley or basil, optional
    • Parmesan cheese grated, optional

    Instructions

    Sauce

    • Dice the onion and mince the garlic.
    • Place a large pan or medium sauce pot over medium to medium-low heat. Add olive oil. Once shimmering, add the onion, chilis, and a pinch of salt, and sweat for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the onion is becoming translucent.
    • Add the garlic and cook until just fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute.
    • Add the tomatoes and season with salt. If using whole peeled tomatoes, crush with your hand as you add them to the pot. Bring up to a boil and down to a simmer for about 20 minutes.
    • Remove the chilis with a slotted spoon.

    Pasta

    • Meanwhile, set a stockpot filled with salted water over high heat. Once the water is boiling (and the sauce has cooked for at least 10 minutes), add the pasta and cook to package directions.
    • When the pasta is finished, strain or use tongs to add the pasta to the sauce.
    • Garnish with parsley or basil and parmesan cheese if desired and serve right away.

    Notes

    • If you do not have access to Calabrian chilis, use 1 tablespoon of red pepper flake/chili flake in their place. You do not need to remove the chili flake like you would the chilis.
    • This dish can be stored in the fridge for 3 to 5 days.
    • The sauce can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the fridge overnight and then place in a pot on the stove. Bring up to a boil and down to a simmer before serving over fresh pasta.
    • To make in advance, I recommend storing the sauce and pasta separately or making the pasta when ready to serve the sauce.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 483kcal | Carbohydrates: 76g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Sodium: 274mg | Potassium: 989mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 1070IU | Vitamin C: 117mg | Calcium: 101mg | Iron: 4mg

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Adriana Rojas says

      March 08, 2023 at 11:30 am

      5 stars
      Amazingly easy to make and SOOO delicious!

      Reply
    2. Sharina says

      December 21, 2022 at 3:13 am

      5 stars
      Never thought that spaghetti could be this good. Spaghetti arrabbiata is a hit, my family loves it. We'll surely make this wonderful recipe again. Thanks Gen for this Italian recipe. Highly recommended!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        December 29, 2022 at 8:55 am

        Thanks so much!

        Reply
    3. Mandy Applegate says

      December 21, 2022 at 1:28 am

      5 stars
      This spaghetti is the perfect weeknight dinner and tastes great!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        December 29, 2022 at 8:55 am

        So happy you enjoyed it, Mandy!

        Reply
    4. MacKenzie says

      December 20, 2022 at 8:42 pm

      5 stars
      The flavors in this pasta are fantastic. My entire family loved this simple recipe.

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        December 29, 2022 at 8:56 am

        Thank you, MacKenzie!

        Reply
    5. Traci says

      December 20, 2022 at 7:51 pm

      5 stars
      Beautiful recipe and it turned out amazing! It was delicious reheated too!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        December 29, 2022 at 8:56 am

        I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks, Traci!

        Reply
    6. Glenn says

      December 20, 2022 at 6:49 pm

      5 stars
      We're enjoying this easy and flavorful meal as a regular part of our meal rotation, now. It's a new family favorite!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        December 29, 2022 at 8:56 am

        Wonderful! Thanks so much, Glenn.

        Reply
    7. Glenda says

      September 06, 2022 at 6:44 pm

      5 stars
      Couldn't find calabrian chilies in our area, so subbed in red pepper flakes and the dish is stunning! What a delicious pasta that can be used as a side or as the whole meal. I ate it for lunch again the next day. Leftovers were just as good as the first time around. Yum!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        September 07, 2022 at 5:49 pm

        Thanks Glenda! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

        Reply
    8. Allyssa says

      September 06, 2022 at 3:40 pm

      5 stars
      This is really easy to follow, loved this spaghetti arrabiata recipe! It's really tasty and very flavorful! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        September 07, 2022 at 5:50 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    9. Jenna says

      August 31, 2022 at 11:39 am

      5 stars
      This recipe is delicious and so easy to make. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        August 31, 2022 at 4:44 pm

        Glad you liked it! Thanks Jenna.

        Reply
    10. Dana says

      August 31, 2022 at 12:19 am

      5 stars
      I could not believe that making this seemingly fancy pasta dish would be so quick and easy. We aren't much for a lot of heat, so it was nice to be able to control how much chili to use.

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        August 31, 2022 at 4:44 pm

        Thanks Dana! I’m glad you were able to adjust the heat to your liking.

        Reply
    11. Glenda says

      August 26, 2022 at 12:21 am

      5 stars
      I had to use red pepper flakes to make this and it was still fabulous! Such a simple and flavorful dish. We absolutely love it! Thanks!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        August 28, 2022 at 9:44 pm

        Thank you, Glenda! Glad you enjoyed it.

        Reply
    12. Allyssa says

      August 25, 2022 at 2:12 pm

      5 stars
      This is really easy to follow, loved this spaghetti arrabbiata recipe! It's really tasty and very flavorful! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        August 25, 2022 at 4:04 pm

        Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

        Reply
    13. Cam says

      August 25, 2022 at 2:08 am

      5 stars
      This is amazing! My family loved this so much!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        August 25, 2022 at 2:53 am

        So glad to hear it!

        Reply
    14. Sherrie says

      August 04, 2022 at 5:48 pm

      5 stars
      We love pasta in our family and this was a huge hit. Thanks for the suggestions on what to swap as well as the expert tips section - super helpful!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        August 04, 2022 at 8:34 pm

        Thanks Sherrie! Glad to hear the family enjoyed it.

        Reply
    15. Greta says

      August 04, 2022 at 2:37 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my...this was such a delicious dish. I am always open to a little spaghetti or a chili.... but this dish, combined together was an absolutely HIT. Loved it.

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        August 04, 2022 at 8:34 pm

        Thanks so much!

        Reply
    16. Jennifer says

      August 04, 2022 at 1:04 pm

      5 stars
      I always order this when dining out so I was thrilled to make it at home and find that it's just as delish! Great recipe! Easy and quick! Yum!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        August 04, 2022 at 8:35 pm

        Thanks Jennifer!

        Reply
    17. Claire says

      August 04, 2022 at 12:44 pm

      5 stars
      I loved using whole chillies and removing them! It really changed the texture of the sauce.
      I had leftovers so took them for lunch and it reheated really well! I think the office was a bit jealous!
      Great recipe will be making it again

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        August 04, 2022 at 8:35 pm

        I’m so happy you liked the texture! Thanks, Claire.

        Reply
    18. Jere Cassidy says

      August 04, 2022 at 12:11 am

      5 stars
      I totally get that about the chili flakes being hard so I like your solution of cooking the peppers in the sauce, that is such a good idea. This is such an easy recipe with the perfect amount of heat.

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        August 04, 2022 at 4:10 am

        Thanks Jere! I’m glad you agree about the texture and it’s not only me. 🙂

        Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Easy Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Vegetables and Pesto • Flavor Feed says:
      September 1, 2022 at 9:35 pm

      […] this easy Sheet Pan Mac and Cheese , Trenentte al Pesto, Pasta with Vodka Sauce or Spaghetti Arrabbiata from Two Cloves […]

      Reply
    5 from 44 votes (26 ratings without comment)

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